The Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust

NEW YORK, NY EIN: 51-6536168

The Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust is a private independent foundation based in New York City, NY. Established in 2003, it is the successor organization to the Robert W. Wilson Foundation, Inc. The trust operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors and geographic regions.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$181.8M

-8.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$26.2M

+116.1% YoY

Grant Count

82

+3.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$319K

+108.2% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The trust gives primarily for:

  • Art museums
  • Civil rights associations
  • Historic preservation and historical societies
  • Environmental conservation and protection

The organization maintains a broad philanthropic scope, supporting diverse initiatives across multiple subject areas and U.S. locations.

Grantmaking

Grant Range

$657

Average Grant

$657

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The trust funds initiatives across multiple U.S. states and cities, including:

  • New York
  • California
  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
  • North Carolina
  • Boston
  • Washington, D.C.

Additional states with funding activity include Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia.

Grant Distribution by State

16states
+8 more states

Cities

AlbanyAlpharettaAmherstAnnapolisArcataArlingtonAtlantaBaltimoreBedfordBedford HillsBoca RatonBooneBostonBridgeportBronxBrooklynChicagoDel MarDelray BeachDurham

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue:

  • Total assets: $199.5 million (2023)
  • Total assets: $181,794,448 (alternate recent filing)
  • Total revenue: $16.2 million (2023)
  • Total expenses: $14.2 million (2023)
  • Asset growth: +2.6% from previous year

Contact Information:

  • Telephone: 212-840-3456
  • Address: R Schneidman Tte Anchin 3 Times, New York City, NY 10036
  • EIN: 51-6536168
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$9M$18M$27M$36M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$181,794,448$199,455,244$191,912,333
Revenue$32,548,343$16,248,141$6,256,282
Expenses$28,700,737$14,168,431$16,125,838
Qualifying Distributions$27,212,396$13,046,269$14,805,714
Net Investment Income$31,643,151$15,213,072$5,131,621
Distributable Amount$8,950,904$9,333,883$10,078,652

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$7M$13M$20M$26M65 grants202077 grants202162 grants202279 grants202382 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY$2.6MENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND$1.8MMETROPOLITAN OPERA$1.3MDRUG POLICY ALLIANCE$600KMASS MOCA$550K54 BELOW INC$335KAMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY$280KHASTINGS CENTER$135KJEWISH FEDERATION OF PAL…$100KCENTRAL SYNAGOGUE$69K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

185<$50K10$50–100K11$100–250K11$250–500K15$500K–1M17$1–5M1$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Key Personnel:

  • Richard Schneidman - Trustee
  • Robert Feidelson - Trustee
  • Eric Weitz - Trustee

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

RICHARD SCHNEIDMANTRUSTEE$750KROBERT FEIDELSONTRUSTEE$20KERIC WEITZTRUSTEE$20K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
RICHARD SCHNEIDMANTRUSTEE36$749,828
ROBERT FEIDELSONTRUSTEE1.5$20,000
ERIC WEITZTRUSTEE1.5$20,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The trust has launched several matching grant opportunities and challenge grants in recent years:

54 Below Launches $300,000 Challenge Grant From the Robert W. Wilson Charitable

**National Trust for Historic Preservation Match:** The trust provided a matching grant opportunity through Saving Places

New Match Opportunity through the Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust

**54 Below Challenge Grant:** Launched a $300,000 challenge grant to support the performing arts venue

54 Below Launches $300,000 Challenge Grant From the Robert W. Wilson Charitable

**MCC Theater Matching Challenge:** Provided support for a $25 million matching challenge to fund MCC Theater's first permanent home

MCC Theater Launches Matching Challenge to Fund First ...

These initiatives demonstrate the trust's active engagement in supporting arts and cultural institutions, particularly in the performing arts and historic preservation sectors.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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